A triatomic molecule can have a linear configuration, as does CO2 (Figure a), or it can be nonlinear, like H2O (Figure b). Suppose the temperature of a gas of triatomic molecules is sufficiently low that vibrational motion is negligible. (a) What is the molar specific heat at constant volume, expressed as a multiple of the universal gas constant (R) if the molecules are linear? Eint/nT = ? (b) What is the molar specific heat at constant volume, expressed as a multiple of the universal gas constant (R) if the molecules are nonlinear? Eint/nT = ? At high temperatures, a triatomic molecule has two modes of vibration, and each contributes 0.5R to the molar specific heat for its kinetic energy and another 0.5R for its potential energy. (c) Identify the high-temperature molar specific heat at constant volume for a triatomic ideal gas of the linear molecules. (Use the following as necessary: R.) Eint/nT = ?
I'm hoping for a good explanation of how to do this. I'm also wondering why it matters if the configuration is linear or nonlinear?
A triatomic molecule can have a linear configuration, as does CO2 (Figure a), or it can be nonlinear, like H2O (Figure b). Suppose the temperature of a gas of triatomic molecules is sufficiently low that vibrational motion is negligible.
(a) What is the molar specific heat at constant volume, expressed as a multiple of the universal gas constant (R) if the molecules are linear?
Eint/nT = ?
(b) What is the molar specific heat at constant volume, expressed as a multiple of the universal gas constant (R) if the molecules are nonlinear?
Eint/nT = ?
At high temperatures, a triatomic molecule has two modes of vibration, and each contributes 0.5R to the molar specific heat for its kinetic energy and another 0.5R for its potential energy.
Eint/nT = ?
![C
a
H
H](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2Fc5980135-0a68-4559-aee6-7612977da8ea%2F165cc3b3-d1c5-4771-96a8-111d41843eda%2F4nenh5_processed.png&w=3840&q=75)
![](/static/compass_v2/shared-icons/check-mark.png)
Trending now
This is a popular solution!
Step by step
Solved in 3 steps
![Blurred answer](/static/compass_v2/solution-images/blurred-answer.jpg)
![College Physics](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9781305952300/9781305952300_smallCoverImage.gif)
![University Physics (14th Edition)](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9780133969290/9780133969290_smallCoverImage.gif)
![Introduction To Quantum Mechanics](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9781107189638/9781107189638_smallCoverImage.jpg)
![College Physics](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9781305952300/9781305952300_smallCoverImage.gif)
![University Physics (14th Edition)](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9780133969290/9780133969290_smallCoverImage.gif)
![Introduction To Quantum Mechanics](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9781107189638/9781107189638_smallCoverImage.jpg)
![Physics for Scientists and Engineers](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9781337553278/9781337553278_smallCoverImage.gif)
![Lecture- Tutorials for Introductory Astronomy](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9780321820464/9780321820464_smallCoverImage.gif)
![College Physics: A Strategic Approach (4th Editio…](https://www.bartleby.com/isbn_cover_images/9780134609034/9780134609034_smallCoverImage.gif)